Model car wheel axle securing plate

ABSTRACT

A device for securing or stabilizing wheel axles in model cars having a body, wheels, axle slots and axles connecting the wheels to the body via the axle slots, the device having a generally flat and generally planar plate and a rib extending generally normal to the plate, with the rib being sized to fit within the axle slots and to cooperate with the axles to hold the axles more securely in place in the axle slots.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention generally is related to devices and accessoriesfor making and building model vehicles, and more specifically is relatedto devices and accessories for securing, stabilizing and aligning thewheel axles of model vehicles such as the wooden toy automobile kits andother wood gravity race cars, and for adding weight to such vehicles.

2. Prior Art

According to the Boy Scouts of America, the PINEWOOD DERBY® hobby craftautomobile racing competition is one of the most popular and successfulfamily activities in Cub Scouting. PINEWOOD DERBY® wooden toy automobilekit cars are small wooden models that Cub Scouts make with help fromtheir families. Then they race the cars in competition. The cars arepowered by gravity and run down a track. Most packs have a PINEWOODDERBY® hobby craft automobile racing competition every year. It can berun indoors or outdoors. Every boy can design and build his own “grandprix” car to enter in the race.

The basic PINEWOOD DERBY® wooden toy automobile kit comprises a pinewood block, four wheels, and four nails to attach the wheels to the woodblock. The nails act as the wheel axles. The boys can carve and paintthe wood block as they desire to make a custom car body. One of therules of the PINEWOOD DERBY® hobby craft automobile racing competitionis that each finished car can weigh no more than a certain weight. Thus,the boys generally are free to design their cars as they please, so longas the cars weigh less than the set weight and are powered only bygravity.

An entire cottage industry has grown up around the PINEWOOD DERBY®wooden toy automobile kit cars and the PINEWOOD DERBY® hobby craftautomobile racing competitions. Various retailers offer specialty toolsfor building the cars, speed supplies for making the cars faster,pre-cut blocks to reduce the time to make a car, alternative wheels andaxles, paints and decals to change or improve the aesthetics of thecars, plans for carving various car designs, weights for bringing thecar up to the weight limit, and a myriad of other products and servicesfor making the cars better, or to come purists, worse.

One issue that many boys have is keeping the wheels on the car andkeeping the wheels straight. The typical wood block has standard axleslots into which the nails that act as the wheel axles can fit. Thenails can wiggle within these axle slots, thus allowing the wheels tomove up or down, or otherwise move out of alignment, causing the car torun slower or not at all. For example, if the axle angles upwards toomuch, the wheel can rub against the wood block, causing friction andslowing the car. Currently the manner for avoiding this problem is notto use the axle slots, but to drill axle holes. However, as the axleholes need to be near the edge of the block, there can be a tendency forthe axle holes to chip, thus allowing the axle nails to wiggle as well.Thus, there is a need for a device to help reduce or eliminate thetendency for the axle nails to wiggle or move out of alignment.

Another issue that many cars have is weighing less than the maximumallowed weight. As the PINEWOOD DERBY® hobby craft automobile racingcompetitions are gravity powered, the heavier the car, the better. Thus,it is preferable to have the car weigh as close to the maximum allowableweight as possible. Although there are many weights and other devicesfor adding weight to the cars, these often involve drilling holes in thewood block and filling the holes with heavier materials or by attachingweights or other devices to the car bodies. This can affect thestructural integrity and the aesthetics of the car. Thus, there is aneed for a device to add weight to the car that does not adverselyaffect the structural integrity or aesthetics of the car.

There are many benefits to the reduction or elimination of the tendencyfor the axle nails to wiggle or move out of alignment. As mentionedpreviously, this can reduce friction, thus increasing the speed of thecar. This also can reduce or eliminate the chipping or wearing of theaxle slots. However, there are few if any devices that provide acomprehensive solution to the problem of dealing with axle nailmovement. There also are many benefits to adding weight to the car. Asmentioned above, this can help the car to achieve its fastest speed.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that provides for theremediation of axle nail movement. There also is a need for a devicethat provides for the remediation of chipping and widening of axleslots. There is a further need for a device to add weight to the carwithout adversely affecting the structural integrity or aesthetics ofthe car. There is an additional need for a device that can accomplishtwo or more of the previously mentioned needs at the same time. Therelikewise is a need for a device that is easy to use, and simple andeconomical to manufacture to address one or more off these needs. It isto these needs and others that the present invention is directed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention is a model car wheel axle securing and/orstabilizing plate for use in helping to secure and/or stabilize thewheel axle nails in model cars to the wood block body and for addingweight to such vehicles. The inventive device is an undercarriage platethat is secured to a wood block car body enabling the nail axles to beinserted straight and in a secure manner. The typical wood block carbody has axle slots running transversely across the bottom of the woodblock into which the axle nails fit. The inventive device also can beused to fix cracked wood block edges, especially the edges proximal tothe axle slots, and to protect the axle slots prior to cutting, carving,sanding, and finishing a wood gravity race car.

The inventive device comprises a generally flat horizontal plate havingan upwardly extending vertical rib that fits within the axle slot andthat cooperates with the axle nails to hold them more securely in place.The plate can be any size, shape and thickness as long as it fits withinthe outer boundaries or footprint of the wood block so as not tointerfere with the functioning of the wheels or the car and so as not tocontact the race track. The rib size and shape is constrained by thesize and shape of the axle slot, as the rib must both fit within theaxle slot and leave some space for the axle nails. The inventive devicecan be made of any material, from lightweight materials if securing theaxle nails is the primary function to heavyweight materials if addingweight to the car is an additional desired function. The inventivedevice can be attached to the wood block in most any fashion, fromfriction to removable fasteners to permanent adhesives.

In one illustrative embodiment, the plate is a dog bone or dumbbellshaped structure having a plurality of holes through which screws canpass to attach the inventive device to the wood block. In thisembodiment, the plate is approximately 1.675 inches (4 cm) long, 0.75inches (2 cm) wide, and 0.125 inches (0.5 cm) thick. In this embodiment,the rib is a step like structure extending lengthwise along the centerof the plate with a lower height closer to the edges of the plate and ahigher height closer to the center of the plate. In this embodiment, thelower height step fits within the axle slots proximal and preferablycontacting the shafts of the axle nails and the higher height step fitswithin the axle slots between the axle nails and can contact the pointsof the axle nails. In this embodiment, the rib is approximately 1.5inches (3.75 cm) long, with the higher height step comprisingapproximately the center 0.75 inches (2 cm) of the rib structure, and0.0625 inches (0.25 cm) thick, which is the approximate thickness of theaxle slot on the wood block. In this embodiment, the lower height stepis approximately 0.04 inches (0.1 cm) high and the higher height step isapproximately 0.125 inches (0.5 cm) high, which is the approximate depthof the axle slot on the wood block. In this embodiment, the inventivedevice is manufactured from a lightweight polypropylene.

These features, and other features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in therelevant art when the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments is read in conjunction with the appended drawings in whichlike reference numerals represent like components throughout the severalviews.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pine block to which the presentinvention can be attached showing common axle slots.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pine block showing alternative axleholes.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a first side view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a second side view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention as used in anillustrative environment.

FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention asused in an illustrative environment along line A-A of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of the inventionas used in an illustrative environment along line A-A of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of the inventionas used in an illustrative environment along line A-A of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of the inventionas used in an illustrative environment along line A-A of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention as used inan illustrative environment.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention as used inan illustrative environment.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention as used inan illustrative environment.

FIG. 15 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is side view of an alternative embodiment of the rib of theinvention.

FIG. 20 is side view of another alternative embodiment of the rib of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pine wood block to which the presentinvention can be attached showing common axle slots. This wood block isthe typical wood block used to produce the body of the car. FIG. 2 is aperspective view of a pine block showing alternative axle holes. Thiswood block often is an altered version of the wood block shown in FIG. 1with the axle holes drilled on the opposite edges of the wood block.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an illustrative embodiment of the inventionhaving a dog bone or dumbbell shaped plate. FIG. 4 is a bottom view ofthe embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3 illustrating a steppedembodiment of the rib. FIG. 5 is a first side view of the embodiment ofthe invention shown in FIG. 3 showing the central lengthwise placementof the stepped rib. FIG. 6 is a second side view of the embodiment ofthe invention shown in FIG. 3 showing the central widthwise placement ofthe rib.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an illustrative embodiment of the invention asused in an illustrative environment, namely attached to the bottom of awood block used to make a gravity race car. FIG. 8 is a sectional sideview of an embodiment of the invention as used in an illustrativeenvironment as shown in FIG. 7 illustrating a first manner ofinteraction of the invention with the nail axles. FIG. 9 is a sectionalside view of another embodiment of the invention as used in anillustrative environment as shown in FIG. 7 illustrating a second mannerof interaction of the invention with the nail axles. FIG. 10 is asectional side view of another embodiment of the invention as used in anillustrative environment as shown in FIG. 7 illustrating a linear riband a third manner of interaction of the invention with the nail axles.FIG. 11 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of the inventionas used in an illustrative environment as shown in FIG. 7 illustrating adiscontinuous rib and fourth manner of interaction of the invention witha straight axle.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention in whichtwo of the invention are used in an illustrative environment and inwhich the inventions double as an additional adjustable weight. FIG. 13is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention in which two ofthe inventions are used in an illustrative environment and in which oneof the inventions doubles as an additional adjustable weight. FIG. 14 isa plan view of another embodiment of the invention as used in anillustrative environment in which a single elongated version of theinvention cooperates with both axle slots and can double as anadditional weight.

FIG. 15 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention in whichthe plate is a curved or chevron like shape. FIG. 16 is a top view ofanother embodiment of the invention in which the plate is rectangular ora rounded rectangle in shape. FIG. 17 is a top view of anotherembodiment of the invention in which the plate has an extended side thatcan add additional weight to the car. FIG. 18 is a top view of anotherembodiment of the invention in which the plate does not have attachmentholes and that can be attached to the wood block using friction oradhesives.

FIG. 19 is side view of an alternative embodiment of the rib of theinvention showing a linear rib. FIG. 20 is side view of anotheralternative embodiment of the rib of the invention showing adiscontinuous rib.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a wood block 12 to whichthe present inventive device 10 can be attached showing common axleslots 14 is shown. The typical wood block 12 used in wood block gravityrace cars is a hexahedron having a length of 7 inches (17.5 cm), a widthof 1.75 inched (4.5 cm), and a height of 1.25 inches (3 cm). All ofthese dimensions (and the conversions) are approximate and the woodblock 12 can be of any desired size and shape, with the device 10proportioned accordingly. The typical wood block 12 has standard axleslots 14 into which the nails 16 (see FIGS. 7-9) that act as the wheelaxles can fit. The nails 16 can wiggle within these axle slots 14, thusallowing the wheels 18 (see FIGS. 7-9) to move up or down, or otherwisemove out of alignment, causing the car to run slower or not at all. Forexample, if the wheel axle angles upwards too much, the wheel 18 can rubagainst the wood block 12, causing friction and slowing the car.

Axle slots 14 typically run the width of the bottom face 20 of the woodblock 12 from the first side 22 to the second side 24 transverse to thepreferred direction of motion, represented by arrow M. Axle slots 14typically are 0.0625 inches (0.25 cm) wide and 0.125 inches (0.5 cm)deep and are cut into wood block 12 in any known or conventional manner.Axle slots are sized to cooperate with the typical nail 16 used as thewheel axle, which is a nail 16 having a length of approximately 1 inch(2.54 cm) and a diameter of approximately 0.085 inches (0.2 cm).

Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a block 12 showingalternative axle holes 26 is shown. One manner for avoiding the wigglingor angling of the nails 16 used for the wheel axles is not to use theaxle slots 14, but to drill axle holes 26. Axle holes 26 are just roundholes drilled into the sides 22, 24 of the wood block 12 into which thenails 16 are placed. The axle holes 26 have a diameter corresponding tothe diameter of the nails 16. If the axle holes 26 are used, the device10 is not necessary.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a top view of an embodiment of the device 10 isshown. The device 10 comprises a generally flat and generally planar(horizontal) plate 28 having a rib 30 (see FIGS. 4-6) extendinggenerally normal (perpendicular, vertical) to the plate 28 and that thatfits within the axle slot 14 and that cooperates with the axle nails 16to hold the axle nails 16 more securely in place in the axle slots 14.The plate 28 can be any size, shape and thickness as long as it fitswithin the outer boundaries or footprint of the wood block 12 so as notto interfere with the functioning of the wheels 18 or the car and so asnot to contact the race track. In the illustrative embodiment shown inFIG. 3, the plate 28 is a dog bone or dumbbell shaped structure having aplurality of holes 32 through which screws 34 (see FIG. 7) or otherattachment means can pass to attach the device 10 to the wood block 12.

As the wood block 12 is 1.75 inches (4.5 cm) wide, the plate 28 has apreferred maximum length of 1.75 inches (4.5 cm). In preferredembodiments, the plate 28 has a length of between approximately 1 inch(2.54 cm) and 1.75 inches (4.5 cm) and more preferably betweenapproximately 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) and 1.75 inches (4.5 cm). The plate28 preferably has a width that accommodates the width of the axle slot14 and the holes 32, where the holes 32 are present. Thus, in the dogbone or dumbbell embodiment, the plate 28 has a preferred width ofbetween approximately 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) and 1 inch (2.54 cm) and morepreferably between approximately 0.625 inches (1.6 cm) and 0.875 inches(2.2 cm). Further, the plate 28 can have varying widths, as illustratedin FIG. 3, with a narrower width in the center or where there are noholes 32 and a wider width at the ends or where there are holes 32. Inan illustrative embodiment, the plate 28 is approximately 1.675 inches(4 cm) long, 0.75 inches (2 cm) wide, and 0.125 inches (0.5 cm) thick.The size and shape of the plate 28 can be varied depending on the sizeand shape of the wood block 12, and these dimensions are merelyillustrative.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a bottom view of the embodiment of the device10 illustrated in FIG. 3 shown. This view illustrates a preferredplacement of the rib 30 relative to the plate 28 and the relativedimensions of the rib 30. The rib 30 size and shape is constrained bythe size and shape of the axle slot 14, as the rib 30 must both fitwithin the axle slot 14 and leave some space for the axle nails 16. Asshown in FIG. 4, the rib 30 extends centrally along the length of theplate 28 from proximal to a first end of the plate 28 to proximal to asecond end of the plate 28. Although the rib 30 can extend from end toend on the plate 28, it has been found that this is not necessary.

The rib 30 has a preferred maximum length of 1.75 inches (4.5 cm). Inpreferred embodiments, the rib 30 has a length of between approximately0.5 inches (1.3 cm) and 1.75 inches (4.5 cm) and more preferably betweenapproximately 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) and 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). The rib 30preferably has a width that accommodates the width of the axle slot 14,that is, approximately 0.0625 inches (0.16 cm). However, the rib 30 canbe thinner. Further, the rib 30 can have varying widths, with a narrowerwidth in the center where the rib 30 may not encounter the axle nails 16and a wider width at the ends where it may encounter the axle nails 16.In an illustrative embodiment, the rib 30 is approximately 1.5 inches(3.8 cm) long and 0.0625 inches (0.16 cm) thick. The size and shape ofthe rib 30 can be varied depending on the size and shape of the woodblock 12 and the axle slot 14, and these dimensions are merelyillustrative.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a first side view of an embodiment of thedevice 10 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown showing the profile ofthe rib 30 in more detail. In this embodiment, the rib 30 is a step likestructure extending lengthwise across a portion and/or along the centerof the plate 28 with a lower height closer to the edges of the plate 28and a higher height closer to the center of the plate 28. In thisembodiment, the lower height step 36 fits within the axle slots 14proximal and preferably contacting the shafts 40 of the axle nails 16and the higher height step 38 fits within the axle slots 14 between theaxle nails 16 and can contact the points 42 of the axle nails 16. Asshown in FIGS. 8, 9,16, and 17 and disclosed in more detail later, thecentral portion 44 of the rib 30 corresponding to the higher height step38 can be even with the lower height step 36, completely removed, or anyheight in between.

The higher height step 38 preferably has a height of betweenapproximately 0 inches (0 cm) and 0.125 inches (0.5 cm) and morepreferably of between approximately 0.04 inches (0.1 cm) and 0.125inches (0.5 cm). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the rib 30 isapproximately 1.5 inches (3.75 cm) long, with the higher height step 38comprising approximately the center 0.75 inches (2 cm) of the rib 30structure, and 0.0625 inches (0.25 cm) thick, which is the approximatethickness of the axle slot 14 on the wood block 12. In this embodiment,the lower height step 36 is approximately 0.04 inches (0.1 cm) high andthe higher height step 38 is approximately 0.125 inches (0.5 cm) high,which is the approximate depth of the axle slot 14 on the wood block 12.As can be seen, the preferred height of the lower height step 36 of therib 30 combined with the diameter of the axle nail 16 shouldapproximately equal the depth of the axle slot 14 and the height of thehigher height step 38 should be no more than approximately the depth ofthe axle slot 14.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a second side view of an embodiment of thedevice 10 illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 is shown. This view shows thegenerally central placement of the rib 30 between a first side of theplate 28 and a second side of the plate 28. This view also shows thatthe lower height step 36 and the higher height step 38 preferably havethe same width.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a plan view of an embodiment of the device 10as used in an illustrative environment is shown. The bottom face 20 ofthe wood block 12 having two axle slots 14 is shown. Wheels 18 areattached to the wood block 12 using axle nails 16 inserted into axleslots 14. As can be seen on the left side of the drawing, the shafts 40of the axle nails 16 extend within axle slots 14 preferably are lessthan half the overall length of the axle slots 14, and typically betweenabout one-quarter and four-tenths of the overall length of the axleslots 14. As can be seen on the right side of the drawing, the device 10is secured onto the bottom face 20 of the wood block 12 generallycentrally over the axle slot 14 and generally centrally between thefirst side 22 and the second side 24 of the wood block 12.

Due to the closeness of the wheels 18 to the wood block 12, it can beseen why it is preferable for the device 10 to have a length equal to orless than the width of the wood block 12. If the device 10 extendedoutwardly from either side 22, 24 of the wood block 12, the device 10could interfere with the functioning of the wheels 18. Additionally, bymanufacturing the device 10 with a length less than the width of thewood block 12, some leeway is provided for in placing and attaching thedevice 10 to the wood block 12, which often is necessary as youngerchildren with less developed motor skills often are assembling the cars.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a sectional side view of an embodiment of theinvention as used in an illustrative environment is shown along line A-Aof FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the lower height step 36 fits within theaxle slots 14 proximal to and preferably contacting the shafts 40 of theaxle nails 16 and the higher height step 38 fits within the axle slots14 between the axle nails 16 and can contact the points 42 of the axlenails 16. In this embodiment, the lower height steps 36 press againstthe shafts 40 of axle nails 16 and secure the axle nails 16 within theaxle slot 14. To further secure the axle nails 16 on the car, the higherheight step 38 has a length along the rib 30 sufficient to allow thepoints 42 of the axle nails 16 to contact and penetrate a certaindistance into the material of the higher height step 38.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a sectional side view of another embodiment ofthe invention as used in an illustrative environment is shown along lineA-A of FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the lower height step 36 fits withinthe axle slots 14 proximal to and preferably contacting the shafts 40 ofthe axle nails 16 and the higher height step 38 fits within the axleslots 14 between the axle nails 16 and do not contact the points 42 ofthe axle nails 16. In this embodiment, the lower height steps 36 pressagainst the shafts 40 of axle nails 16 and secure the axle nails 16within the axle slot 14. However, the higher height step 38 has a lengthalong the rib 30 sufficient to allow the higher height step 38 to fitbetween the points 42 of the axle nails 16 such that the points 42 ofthe axle nails 16 do not contact and do not penetrate into the materialof the higher height step 38.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a sectional side view of another embodiment ofthe invention as used in an illustrative environment is shown along lineA-A of FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the device 10 comprises the linearrib 30 disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 19 below. In this embodiment,the linear rib 30 essentially comprises a lower height step 36 thatextends the entire length of the linear rib 30, including a centralportion 44. This linear rib 30 fits within the axle slots 14 proximal toand preferably contacting the shafts 40 of the axle nails 16 and thelinear rib 30 presses against the shafts 40 of axle nails 16 and securesthe axle nails 16 within the axle slot 14. However, as there is nohigher height step 38, none of the material of the linear rib 30 extendsbetween the points 42 of the axle nails 16 such that the points 42 ofthe axle nails 16 do not contact and do not penetrate into the materialof the linear rib 30. This embodiment of rib 30 also can be used inconjunction with the straight axle 54 disclosed in conjunction with FIG.11 below.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a sectional side view of another embodiment ofthe invention as used in an illustrative environment is shown along lineA-A of FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the device 10 comprises thediscontinuous rib 30 disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 20 below and inconjunction with a straight axle 54 connecting two wheels 18 together,as used in some car kits. In this embodiment, the discontinuous rib 30comprises only lower height steps 36 and no central portion 44. Thisdiscontinuous rib 30 fits within the axle slots 14 only proximal to andpreferably contacting the straight axle 54, or the shafts 40 of the axlenails 16, and the discontinuous rib 30 presses against the straight axle54, or the shafts 40 of axle nails 16, and secures the straight axle 54,or the axle nails 16, within the axle slot 14. As just disclosed, thisembodiment of rib 30 also can be used in conjunction with axle nails 16.Similarly, when using a straight axle 54, the discontinuous rib 54 canhave a single step (not shown) centrally located on the central portion44 (shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 19, and 20). In effect, a single step is ashortened version of the linear rib 30 shown in FIG. 10, but whichterminates on both ends farther in from the edges of the plate 28.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a plan view of another embodiment of thedevice 10 as used in an illustrative environment is shown. In thisembodiment, two of the devices 10 are used and the device 10 doubles asan additional adjustable weight. One side of the device 10 is anelongated tongue 46 having one or more score lines 48. Each weightsection 50 can be snapped off and removed from the device 10 to create adevice 10 of varying weight. Weight sections 50 preferably should beremoved starting from the weight section 50 distal from the axle slot14. Using this embodiment of the device 10, weight can be added to thecar to help bring the car up to the maximum weight allowed. The tongue46 generally is coplanar with the plate 28. In this embodiment, it maybe preferable to manufacture the device 10 from a heavier material, suchas a metal or dense polymer.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a plan view of another embodiment of thedevice 10 as used in an illustrative environment is shown. In thisembodiment, two of the devices 10 are used with one of the devices 10being a dog bone or dumbbell shaped device 10 as shown in FIG. 3 and theother one of the devices 10 being a tongue shaped device as disclosed inconjunction with FIG. 13. In this embodiment, the first dog bone ordumbbell shaped device 10 function mainly to secure the axle nails 16within the axle slot 14 while the second tongue shaped device 10 alsodoubles as an additional adjustable weight.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a plan view of another embodiment of thedevice 10 as used in an illustrative environment is shown. In thisembodiment, a single elongated version of the device 10 cooperates withboth axle slots 14 and can double as an additional weight. Variousweight sections 50 can be removed along the score lines 48 to reduce thetotal weight added.

Referring now to FIG. 15, a top view of another embodiment of the device10 is shown. This embodiment adds an incremental amount of additionalweight to the car than the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. This embodimentis presented also to illustrate that the shape of the device 10 can bevaried.

Referring now to FIG. 16, a top view of another embodiment of the device10 is shown. This embodiment adds an incremental amount of additionalweight to the car than the embodiment shown in FIG. 15. This embodimentis presented also to illustrate that the shape of the device 10 can bevaried.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a top view of another embodiment of the device10 is shown. This embodiment also adds an incremental amount ofadditional weight to the car than the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 andcan add approximately the same incremental amount of weight to the caras the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, depending on the geometric shape ofthe tongue 46. This embodiment is presented also to illustrate that theshape of the device 10 can be varied.

Referring now to FIG. 18, a top view of another embodiment of the device10 is shown. This embodiment does not have the attachment holes 32 andcan be attached to the wood block by friction or by adhesives. Iffrictionally attached, the rib 30 should be manufactured with athickness sufficient to create enough friction against the inner wallsof the axle slot 14 to prevent the device 10 from moving to any greatdegree out of the axle slot 14. If adhesively attached, the adhesive canbe placed between the flanges 52 and the bottom face 20 of the woodblock 12.

Referring now to FIG. 19, a side view of an alternative embodiment ofthe device 10 having a linear rib 30 is shown. In this embodiment, thelinear rib 30 essentially comprises a lower height step 36 that extendsthe entire length of the linear rib 30, including a central portion 44.This linear rib 30 fits within the axle slots 14 proximal to andpreferably contacting the shafts 40 of the axle nails 16 and the linearrib 30 presses against the shafts 40 of axle nails 16 and secures theaxle nails 16 within the axle slot 14. However, as there is no higherheight step 38, none of the material of the linear rib 30 extendsbetween the points 42 of the axle nails 16 such that the points 42 ofthe axle nails 16 do not contact and do not penetrate into the materialof the linear rib 30.

Referring now to FIG. 20, a side view of another alternative embodimentof the device 10 having a discontinuous rib 30 is shown. In thisembodiment, the discontinuous rib 30 comprises only lower height steps36 and no central portion 44. The lower height steps 36 extendapproximately one-quarter to four-tenths of the length of the axle slot14. This discontinuous rib 30 fits within the axle slots 14 onlyproximal to and preferably contacting the shafts 40 of the axle nails 16and the discontinuous rib 30 presses against the shafts 40 of axle nails16 and secures the axle nails 16 within the axle slot 14. However, asthere is no higher height step 38, and indeed no central portion 44,none of the material of the discontinuous rib 30 extends between thepoints 42 of the axle nails 16 such that the points 42 of the axle nails16 do not contact and do not penetrate into the material of thediscontinuous rib 30.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the plate 28 has edges and a centerand the rib 30 is a discontinuous structure having two steps, a first ofthe steps being closer to a first of the edges of the plate 28 and asecond of the steps being closer to a second of the edges of the plate28, the two steps having the same height. Additionally, each of thewheels 18 is connected to the wood block 12 body via one of the axlenails 16 and the rib 30 fits within the axle slots 14 such that each ofthe steps is proximal to and contacts only one of the axle nails 16 oftwo of the wheels 18. When using a straight axle 54, the straight axle54 will contact both steps of the discontinuous rib 30.

The device 10 can be made of any material, from lightweight materials ifsecuring the axle nails 16 to the wood block 12 is the primary functionto heavyweight materials if adding weight to the car is an additionaldesired function. Thus, it is contemplated that the device can bemanufactured from plastics and other polymers, metals and alloys,ceramics, carbon composites, glass composites and other materials thatcan be manufactured to the size and shapes desired. It also ispreferable that the materials of manufacture are safe and non-toxic, ora suitable level of safety and non-toxicity, as the device 10 generallywill be used by humans, and particularly young humans. In oneillustrative embodiment, the device 10 is manufactured from alightweight polypropylene.

The device 10 can be attached to the wood block 12 in most any fashion,from friction to removable fasteners to permanent adhesives. As shown inthe illustrative embodiments, screws 34 are used to attach the device 10to the wood block 12. However, nails also can be used. If the attachmentholes 32 are not present on the device 10, the flat flanges 52 remainingcan be used to adhesively attach the device 10 to the wood block 12. Asthe axle nails 16 and straight axle 54 do not spin within the axle slots14, it does not matter if adhesive contacts the majority of the shaft 40of the axle nails 16 or the straight axle 54 within the axle slot 14.Other attachment means can be used and the invention is not limited tothe illustrative embodiments disclosed above.

In operation and use, the device 10 can be quickly and easily attachedto the wood block 12 to secure the axle nails 16 or the straight axle 54in the axle slots 14. Depending on the embodiment of the device used,the axle nails 16 or the straight axle 54 can be inserted into the axleslots 14 prior to or subsequent to attaching the device 10 to the woodblock. In a first example using the embodiment of the device shown inFIG. 8, the device 10 should be attached to the wood block 12 prior toinserting the axle nails 16 into the axle slot 14. In this firstexample, once the rib 30 of the device 10 is inserted into the axle slot14 and the device 10 secured to the wood block 12, the axle nails can beinserted into the axle slot from the sides 22, 24 of the wood block 12in the spaces left between the rib 30 and the axle slot 14. As the axlenails 16 are inserted into the axle slot 14, the points 42 will contactand possibly penetrate the higher height step 38 of the rib.

In a second example using the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 9,16, or 17, the device 10 can be attached to the wood block 12 prior orsubsequent to inserting the axle nails 16 into the axle slot 14. In thissecond example, because the rib 30 of the device 10 does not have ahigher height step 38, there is no rib 30 material to interfere with thesubsequent insertion of the axle nails, or the prior inserted axle nails16. Thus, once the device 10 of these embodiments is inserted into theaxle slot 14 and the device 10 secured to the wood block 12, the axlenails can be inserted into the axle slot from the sides 22, 24 of thewood block 12 in the spaces left between the rib 30 and the axle slot 14without contacting or penetrating the higher height step 38 of the rib.Similarly, if the axle nails 16 are inserted first, the rib 30 then canbe inserted into the axle slot without the points 42 interfering withthe central portion 44 of the rib 30.

In a third example using a straight axle 54 as shown in FIG. 11, thedevice 10 can be attached to the wood block 12 subsequent to insertingthe straight axle 54 into the axle slot 14. In this third example, asthe two wheels 18 already are connected together by the straight axle54, the attachment of the device 10 to the wood block 12 after thestraight axle 54 and wheels 18 have been inserted into the axle slot 14will secure and/or stabilize the straight axle 54 and thus both wheels18.

In a fourth example using the embodiment of the device 10 shown in FIGS.12-14, the device 10 preferably is attached to the wood block after thegenerally finished car has been weighed and the desired weight sections50, if any, have been removed. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 12-14 canhave higher height steps 38 and/or central portions 44 as shown in anyof the drawings.

The above detailed description of the preferred embodiments, examples,and the appended figures are for illustrative purposes only and are notintended to limit the scope and spirit of the invention, and itsequivalents, as defined by the appended claims. One skilled in the artwill recognize that many variations can be made to the inventiondisclosed in this specification without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

Designation

-   10 Device-   12 Wood block-   14 Axle slot-   16 Axle nail-   18 Wheel-   20 Bottom face-   22 First side-   24 Second side-   26 Axle hole-   28 Plate-   30 Rib-   32 Attachment holes-   34 Screws-   36 Lower height step-   38 Higher height step-   40 Shaft-   42 Point-   44 Central portion-   46 Tongue-   48 Score line-   50 Weight section-   52 Flange-   54 Straight axle

1. A device for securing or stabilizing wheel axles in model cars havinga body, wheels, axle slots and axles connecting the wheels to the bodyvia the axle slots, the device comprising: (a) a generally flat andgenerally planar plate; and (b) a rib extending generally normal to theplate, wherein the rib is sized to fit within the axle slots and tocooperate with the axles to hold the axles more securely in place in theaxle slots.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate hasedges and a center and the rib comprises a step like structure extendingacross a portion of the plate with lower height steps closer to theedges of the plate and a higher height step closer to the center of theplate.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the wheelsis connected to the body via one of the axles and the lower height stepsof the rib fit within the axle slots proximal to and contacting theaxles of two of the wheels and the higher height step of the rib fitswithin the axle slots between the axles of two of the wheels.
 4. Thedevice as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the axles has a shaft anda point and the higher height step contacts the points of the axles. 5.The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plate has a dog bone ordumbbell shape being narrower in width across the center and wider inwidth across the edges.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 5, furthercomprising attachment holes for attaching the plate to the body, whereinthe attachment holes are located proximal to the edges of the plate thatare wider in width.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein theplate has edges and a center and the rib is a linear structure having aconstant height and is located generally centrally across the center ofthe plate extending from proximal to one of the edges to proximal toanother one of the edges.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 7, whereineach of the wheels is connected to the body via one of the axles and therib fits within the axle slots proximal to and contacting the axles oftwo of the wheels.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein two ofthe wheels are connected to the body via one of the axles and the ribfits within the axle slots proximal to and contacting the axle of thetwo wheels.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate hasedges and a center and the rib is a discontinuous structure having twosteps, a first of the steps being closer to a first of the edges of theplate and a second of the steps being closer to a second of the edges ofthe plate, the two steps having the same height.
 11. The device asclaimed in claim 10, wherein each of the wheels is connected to the bodyvia one of the axles and the rib fits within the axle slots such thateach of the steps is proximal to and contacts only one of the axles oftwo of the wheels.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein two ofthe wheels are connected to the body via one of the axles and the ribfits within the axle slots proximal to and contacting the axle of thetwo wheels.
 13. The device as claimed in claim 3, further comprisingbreakaway sections that can be broken off of the device so as to reducethe overall weight of the device.
 14. The device as claimed in claim 13,further comprising score lines between the breakaway sections alongwhich the breakaway sections are broken off of the device.
 15. A devicefor securing or stabilizing wheel axles in model cars having a body,wheels, axle slots and axles connecting the wheels to the body via theaxle slots, the device comprising: (a) a generally flat and generallyplanar plate having edges and a center; and (b) a rib extendinggenerally normal to the plate and being located generally centrallyacross the center of the plate extending from proximal to one of theedges to proximal to another one of the edges, wherein the rib is sizedto fit within the axle slots and to cooperate with the axles to hold theaxles more securely in place in the axle slots.
 16. The device asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the rib comprises a step like structureextending across a portion of the plate with lower height steps closerto the edges of the plate and a higher height step closer to the centerof the plate and each of the wheels is connected to the body via one ofthe axles and the lower height steps of the rib fit within the axleslots proximal to and contacting the axles of two of the wheels and thehigher height step of the rib fits within the axle slots between theaxles of two of the wheels.
 17. The device as claimed in claim 15,wherein the rib is a linear structure having at least one step and eachof the wheels is connected to the body via one of the axles and the ribfits within the axle slots proximal to and contacting the axles of twoof the wheels.
 18. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the rib isa linear structure having at least one step and two of the wheels areconnected to the body via one of the axles and the rib fits within theaxle slots proximal to and contacting the axle of the two wheels. 19.The device as claimed in claim 16, further comprising breakaway sectionsthat can be broken off of the device so as to reduce the overall weightof the device.
 20. The device as claimed in claim 17, further comprisingbreakaway sections that can be broken off of the device so as to reducethe overall weight of the device.
 21. The device as claimed in claim 18,further comprising breakaway sections that can be broken off of thedevice so as to reduce the overall weight of the device.
 22. A devicefor securing or stabilizing wheel axles in model cars having a body,wheels, axle slots and axles connecting the wheels to the body via theaxle slots, the device comprising: (a) a generally flat and generallyplanar plate; (b) a rib extending generally normal to the plate; and (c)a tongue coplanar with the plate for adding additional weight to thedevice, wherein the rib is sized to fit within the axle slots and tocooperate with the axles to hold the axles more securely in place in theaxle slots.
 23. The device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the tonguehas a plurality of breakaway sections that can be broken off of thedevice so as to reduce the overall weight of the device.
 24. The deviceas claimed in claim 23, wherein the tongue has score lines between thebreakaway sections along which the breakaway sections are broken off ofthe device.